Official MLBlog of the Kansas City Royals front office.

Royals introduce Green Team initiative for 2010

The Royals have introduced a new Green Team initiative in partnership with Allied Waste for the 2010 season. The Royals Green Team presented by Allied Waste consists of volunteer groups and stadium staff that collect recyclable materials from fans during each home game.

As part of the program, the club has introduced the “Green Stretch” during which the Green Team will walk the aisles collecting plastics and aluminum from fans. An accompanying public address announcement and CrownVision signage encourage fans to use one of the more than 150 recycle bins located around Kauffman Stadium.

The Royals and Allied Waste have partnered on the initiative in order to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills per game. By increasing the number of materials recycled, the club is easing the environmental impact created at the facility.

“Allied Waste is thrilled to partner with the Royals organization to help reduce waste and promote recycling in our community,” said Allied Waste’s General Manager Nick Babcock.

Green Teams groups are made up of a maximum of 50 people and must be at least 10 years old (with adult supervision). As a thank you for their support, volunteers will receive an official Green Team t-shirt and be able to enjoy the game both prior to and after the “Green Stretch.” Interested groups may contact Carrie Bligh, Royals Director of Fan Services & Hospitality, at carrie.bligh@royals.com.

“The Royals are focused on ‘greening’ Kauffman Stadium in 2010 and beyond,” said Mike Bucek, Royals Vice President-Marketing & Business Development. “We feel that this program with our new partner Allied Waste is a great way to work together with our fans to make recycling at the ballpark easier and more efficient.”

Allied Waste, a division of Republic Services, Inc., is the second largest provider of services in the domestic non-hazardous solid waste industry. Allied Waste provides non-hazardous solid waste collection services to approximately 13 million commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers through 376 collection companies in 40 states and Puerto Rico.

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